An application was submitted by Kelly D. Cain to have this school evaluated in the
College Sustainability Report Card 2011
. A contribution was made to cover the cost of inclusion.
Learn more
about how a school can apply for inclusion.

Please note: Data was collected in summer 2010 and may no longer be current.

Data compiled from survey responses, when available, and from independent research, when needed. For more information on data collection and evaluation, please see the
Methodology
section.

Other Wisconsin schools

The Sustainability Working Group and the Office of Sustainability have submitted a comprehensive sustainable community development plan, and a climate action plan is up for approval. The university purchases some Energy Star-qualified appliances and sustainable paper products. A student fee funds the purchase of renewable electricity.

The university has reduced real greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 20 percent since 2006, and has reduced building energy consumption by 15 percent since 2005. Energy-saving technologies, such as heat recovery systems, temperature control timers, and high-efficiency lighting have been installed across campus, and temperature setbacks have been implemented. Renewable energy credits are purchased for 35 percent of campus electricity.

Dining services spends 10.5 percent of its food budget on local products. The cafeteria serves only hormone- and antibiotic-free milk and some fair trade coffee. All dining facilities are trayless, and the university recycles used cooking oil for biodiesel production. The campus diverts 34 percent of its waste from landfills through recycling and recycles electronics and automotive products in addition to traditional materials.

UWRF uses LEED criteria as guidelines for all new construction projects and considers sustainability in its building maintenance practices. Four buildings on campus meet LEED-EB standards. The university has reduced its per capita water consumption by 25 percent since 2005 and has installed dual-flush toilets, high-efficiency laundry machines, and weather-informed irrigation systems.

The Earth Conscious Organization and four interns in the sustainability office promote environmental awareness and policy on campus. New student orientation highlights campus sustainability and green transportation, and students can live in the iRock sustainability-themed living and learning community. During the Residence Life Energy Conservation Contest, many dorms reduced their energy and water consumption by over 10 percent for each of the past five years.

UWRF has integrated pedestrian- and bike-friendly design into campus planning and coordinates with the regional pedestrian master plan. Vehicles are kept on the periphery of campus. The university fleet includes two electric vehicles, and a bike repair program is offered in season.